Youthberry

I thought I’d tried this tea before, but according to Steepster I have not. It must be one of those teas that is just so infamous that I feel like I know it inside and out even if I’ve never tried it. I really wasn’t into this cup though; flavour wise I struggled to pinpoint exactly what the hell it’s trying to taste like. I got this mix of fruit punch, tutti frutti, perfume, and oranges – but all artificial tasting. Really hard to actually finish the mug of it; it was just so weird and unpleasant.

Method: Mesh sachet, doubled
Steep Time: 2 min
Water temp: 175 F / 79 C
Brew Style: Mug/ Western

I finally caught COVID… or should I say COVID finally caught me? Anyway. Glad I got the updated booster; I think it’s helped to make this virus present as an annoying head cold for me, rather than the headache, fatigue, body ache, fever, loss of smell, shortness of breath scary time that it has been for most.

I’m fortunate.

I’m also fortunate that I can work from home instead of having to use up all my paid sick time, or worse, have to go on unpaid leave.

I miss the Recover Wellness blend that Teavana used to make, before Starbucks bought them and reduced them from their own standalone stores to a select handful of their “greatest hits” bagged blends, none of which include the Wellness blends. The Recover stuff is what I’m really craving to kick help kick this.

Anyway, I must quit my whining and try to scratch the itch with these ancient Youthberry sachets instead. I double-bagged it for good measure because it’s several years old.

The flavor isn’t very strong, but I do taste the nice, perfume-y orange, rose, and tart hibiscus. It’s sweet, but not cloyingly sweet. Nor is it medicinal. But it feels like it’s good for me. At any rate, it’s not hurting anything, and the hot beverage is helping clear the congestion a little.

Only have about 10g left. It’s better cold then hot. Steep it too little and there isn’t enough flavor, steep too long and you get a slight bitterness from the white tea. The smell is great but overall a little too light for my taste.

Went to Starbucks and ordered a venti Youthberry for lunch and it was yummy. It was so good that I was shocked that it was done so fast! Predominant flavors were pomegranate and pineapple this tea is great when you are looking for punchy fruit flavors. I imagine that this would be even better cold.

I had a sample of this in Teavana when I purchased my teas and loved it. It is my second-favorite herbal tea (so far). Light, fragrant, and fruity, it does not need sweetener. This is a tea I drink to savor: the combination of white tea, fruit, and floral themes is nearly perfect. My mom, who is an incredibly picky tea drinker, tried this and loved it. It is wonderful to serve to guests.

I really like this one. You have to use a lot and it doesn’t do well with resteeps. It tastes a bit sweet and I pick up grapefruit notes from it. I really do love it…but it’s pretty expensive and there is barely and tea in it.

It’s alright. A bit sweeter than expected and kind of weak. I needed to double the amount of tsps and steep time to get the full flavour.

Warm, sweet aroma. Can taste the rose hips. Pineapple flavor very strong. Aroma more pleasing than actual flavor, but still a pleasant tea.

Sipdown
I thought I used to like this. Basically added what was left in the tin to my steeper. Bad taste followed by tart raspberry. Really astringent at end. Blah…I’m so glad this is gone. There’s supposedly white tea in here, but I can’t taste it at all.
Not restocking.

Cold. Sick. Tired. On my way to class, and in need of caffeine then sleep. White tea is perfect for these moments. And something fruity was even more needed. So I checked out the ingredients, and decided I need it to stay alert and to bay the mucus dripping down my throat. I was wise in that decision.

But was it a good tea? Well, it’s good as an herbal, but something left desirable as a white tea. All of the fruity ingredients came through sweetly and naturally with the white as the clear back drop. I wanted more white. Yet I needed the caffeine more than the white, and the sleep.

I’m iffy with Teavana and Starbucks. There are a few drinks I really enjoy, but everything else is mediocre or vastly over priced for the quality. I can say that this is a better option than their coffee and fairly enjoyable, but not something I’d drink constantly. Suits my needs though. I’m on a Oolong and White fix anyway. Black tea, though one of my favorites, has been too much for me to handle in the copious amounts I imbibe. So my cravings shift for something more…delicate.